Obituaries today: Norman Oliver was Springfield community activist

Norman W. Oliver, 75, of Springfield, a veteran, composer, youth organizer, pioneer of Catholic music ministries and community activist, passed away on Tuesday. He was born in South Dartmouth. He was respected by many in the community because of his energetic expression of music and spreading the words of Christ through song. For over a decade, he relocated to England, where he worked as a model, actor and musician. He was one of the first African American male models to be featured in British Vogue. He appeared in "Tam Lin," a 1970 movie starring Ava Gardner. He campaigned for Springfield City Council and state representative.